THURSDAY,APRIL 10,2003
COVER STORY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 9
Photo illustration by Eric Braem/Kansan
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
causes the cocaine high.
Bob's story
Bob, another senior at the University, said cocaine was now an occasional habit for him, but it used to be an addiction.
"I used to do it all the time, but I could never get as good a high as I wanted, so I kept trying," said Bob, who also wanted his last name kept confidential. "After rehab, it was only a matter of time before I got back, but now I can keep it from becoming a constant thing. It's hard, but the highs are a lot better when you're not trying all the time."
Bob said he encountered trouble paying for his habit.
"I started to do anything I could to try and get the money," he said.
Bob said he went home from college one weekend and tried to steal money from his 16-year-old sister's purse.
He was caught by his mother and questioned about why he needed the money. Bob said he stormed out without answering.
"I really didn't know what I was doing," Bob said. "I finally got tired of it and told a friend, who told my
Many cocaine addicts develop a high tolerance for the use of cocaine with continued use of the drug. The reality of drug addiction is that this high will never be felt again and some addicts chase this for years causing them to lose everything.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
parents."
The first night, he screamed, trembled, sweated and hallucinated. It took him awhile to get over it, and he said he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy.
Soon Bob was in rehab, where he encountered horrible withdrawal symptoms.
Cocaine High
The rush associated with the first use of cocaine is often the best a user will ever feel.
After the rush is over, users are left with a depressed feeling, often causing the user to seek more cocaine to get
According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the users are chasing an impossible dream.
back the rush.
Bob said he still used cocaine, but not as much as he used to.
"Many cocaine addicts develop a high tolerance for the use of cocaine with continued use of the drug," the institute said.
The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. However, the slower absorption lasts longer. Increased use can reduce the period of stimulation.
The high for snorting is typically 15 to 30 minutes, while smoking can last 5 to 10 minutes. It all depends on the body's rate of absorption.
"The reality of drug addiction is that this high will never be felt again and some addicts chase this for years — causing them to lose everything."
"I can't totally get rid of it. There's just something about that feeling," Bob said. "But at least I'm taking care of part of it by not doing it as often, right?"
The length of the high is different, depending on method of ingestion.
- Edited by Melissa Hermreck
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